About All Those Marys
Out of one, many
There seem to be way too many Marys in the Gospels. Consider Robert Price’s reimagining of what Jesus experienced when he arose on the third day:
Jesus waves a quick good-bye as the angel spreads his shining wings and launches skyward. Jesus wishes he had wings, too, because he desperately wants to be out of here and on his way to Galilee and, simultaneously, to Jerusalem, before those dizzy dames get here. How tired he is of the claustrophobic attentions of Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary the sister-in-law of Mary the mother of Mary, and the rest. A guy needs a break sometimes, and three days was not enough of one.¹
From Killing History: Jesus in the No-Spin Zone by Robert M. Price
In an earlier article, I wrote about the scene where the mother and brothers of Jesus came to see Jesus because they were worried that he had lost his mind. Below is the version from Matthew. Take note of what Jesus is talking about before he is informed about the presence of his mother and brothers.
43 “When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.
45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits…
